But the race is clearly getting personal, with partisans from both sides squawking online over the charges and Isthmus' coverage of it.

Hansen complained to the Madison clerk's office that Resnick had errors in his nomination papers. Primarily, the complaint was that the dates next to the signatures were incomplete -- only the day and month were listed, not the year. He also complained that one person signed twice and at least one person didn't live in the district.

Resnick was given three days to have the people who circulated them file an affidavit of correction, noting the year. On Friday, city clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl confirmed Resnick "is still on the ballot," with 20 valid signatures.

Hansen had errors with his own nominating papers, which went unchallenged. He submitted 47 signatures, when the maximum allowed is 40. And several people who don't live in his district signed.

"If some of those are mixed in, that's something for the clerk to eliminate," Hansen says. "I could fully expect to be challenged for those as well. The same law applies to me. But in no uncertain terms does it change my ballot access."

"We need to make sure we're in full compliance with the law at all times," he adds. "Our campaign's attention to detail is second to none."

Resnick says he's not happy with the tenor of the race. "It's disappointing that my opponent wouldn't focus on issues, rather than nitpicking my nomination papers."

Because there are only two candidates running in the district, there will be no primary on Feb. 19. Instead, both will square off in the general election on April 2.